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Post by malcolmf on Jul 10, 2019 18:38:12 GMT
I had a meeting with a manager from Medway Council this afternoon in regard to the Capstone Festival, which is still going ahead.
I was asked a question, which I could not answer, in regard to the above location, as I have not flown there, although I believe some members of KKF have done so in the past.
I would like your comments, as the general question was about having a fly in at several different locations across Medway to promote their Greenspaces. but specifically about the Great Lines.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by evets on Jul 11, 2019 7:09:16 GMT
I have never flown there but looking on the air photography there apears to be a lot of room my only question would be where is the car parking and facilities? goo.gl/maps/1v89SbuCev7EiBw77
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Post by peter on Jul 11, 2019 8:30:54 GMT
Quite a lot of it looks like it is long grass common land. Could be difficult to fly, like Kingswood.
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Post by timtank on Jul 11, 2019 9:18:02 GMT
I fly there regularly during my lunch hours. There are 3 distinct areas. The lower section nearest the road and the Black Lion leisure centre is close mown but often used for sports (goal posts during the season). Then there is a line of trees alongside the Sally Port Gardens path to the south of which is a slightly sloping part which is usually kept reasonably mown. This is bisected by a foot/cycle path running north-south but plenty of space. The top bit with the escarpment overlooking Chatham only gets mowed about twice a year so can have fairly long grass much of the time. Unfortunately, the best winds are often up here! I usually launch up here using the paths within the long grass. Parking is pretty limited, with a very small area by the war memorial, otherwise it's take your chances with on-street parking! This is metered along Wood Street/Brompton Road but free elsewhere. No loos at all other than local pubs, there's a reasonable cafe at the old Falcon pub in Marlborough Road (well used to be - not been in there for a while!). Other things to be aware of is helicopters! Medway Hospital has a roof top pad quite close to the area but this doesn't seem to be is use at present (shame because the windsock has been taken down - very useful!), one can assume that there is a temporary pad on the premises. Plus the Army sometimes can bring stuff as big as Chinooks and Merlins onto their rugby pitches down towards the barracks. Not frequent for either but keep an ear out! Best winds obviously north or south but the bordering tree lines don't hamper other directions. Entry on my website: <a>http://stswithnet.zapto.org/north-kent.html#greatlines</a>
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Post by timtank on Jul 11, 2019 9:42:14 GMT
Other than Great Lines and Capstone there are few other suitable areas in Medway. The field at Riverside Country Park we've discussed before, there is Hillyfields rec in Gillingham if you're brave enough but this will ONLY take a north wind. The only other place I've flown is an area known as Finsborough Down on St Mary's Island (old dockyard). This is a very small but elevated area overlooking the dockyard and developments. I've flown single liners and stunters on short lines here quite a bit as it is usually pretty deserted during lunchtimes - not sure the same could be said at the weekends!
Another site nearby that often gets suggested is the nearby Jeskyns Country Park up the A2 the other side of Cobham (and nearer Gravesend). Went for look last year - nice area but when you park up there is an obvious elephant in the room, in the form of some enormous power lines and pylons! These are huge and very scary!
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Post by Gareth Williams on Jul 11, 2019 11:22:10 GMT
I'm pretty sure we attended an event on the great lines many years ago. This was on the part down towards the black lion. Other than that I can't remember much about it.
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Post by timtank on Jul 11, 2019 14:01:34 GMT
Flying up the Lines today so took a couple of pics. The view towards the War Memorial shows the difference between the mowed bit and the long grass (if anyone finds a spreader in there - it's mine! Lost a few weeks ago). The other view is to the north towards the Black Lion. The lighter green area is the close mown section next to the main road. You can make out the line of trees along the Sally Port path.
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Post by malcolmf on Jul 11, 2019 14:11:45 GMT
Thanks for all your comments and taking the time to reply so quickly. I will continue discussions with the Manager of the GReenspaces division of Medway Council, but firstly have to concentrate on Capstone Festival. It was really a pleasant surprise to discuss with some one who was positive about kite flying and wishing to promote the Greenspaces through kiting.
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